Ryan McBride/Staff photographer
Julliet Careallo, 12, shows off great agility at the Piccadilly Circus Thursday at the Dover Ice Arena.

DOVER — The Piccadilly Circus arrived in full swing on Thursday, bringing performers, llamas, an ostrich and even a tiger to the Dover Ice Arena, providing entertainment to families of all ages.

The circus has been traveling throughout the continental United States for the past five years and brought Cossack riders to America for the first time. The indoor show, titled Blammo, also includes audience interaction, comedic circus clowns and dirt bike cage riding.

Luer Karamitrev, one of the dirt bikers, has been riding for more than 16 years. When asked if each event is always a thrill, he beamed and answered, “Yes.”

Karamitrev rides alone in the circular cage and then with another rider, traveling at high speeds upside down and sideways, all while the crowd cheers for more.

“I love dirt bikes,” Blayne Beranger, 6, of Somersworth said, adding that event during the circus was his favorite.

Kaleb Martin, 9, of Berwick, liked seeing the white tiger the most, but said “everything” was awesome at the circus. The Piccadilly Circus performance was the first he had ever watched.

Both men and women performers participated in acts above ground, with men climbing poles and women swinging from ropes to high-intensity music and bright, colorful lights.

Twelve-year-old Julliet Careallo contorted her body as if she were a human pretzel in a blue leotard on a table, bending her legs over her head, twisting into positions experienced yogis wish they could.

Her father, who is the head clown of the circus, whistled to the crowd in another act, motioning them to clap in individual sections of the arena before pulling up three men to dance in front of the audience.

Chris Kiberd of Portsmouth was one of the lucky ones chosen. Laughing as he walked back to his seat, Kiberd said, “I certainly didn't expect that coming here tonight.”

Kiberd, who was at the circus with his wife and daughter, said that was his first experience being in the spotlight.

Children were able to use tickets purchased before entering the circus during intermission to play on the bounce house slide, ride ponies and get their face painted.

There was also a petting zoo, complete with a caged monkey.

One man in the circus wings said he can be seen behind every performance. Zach “Fish” Hoffman, who has been with Piccadilly for two years, said he does not have a job title, but “does a little bit of everything” for the show.

Nine months out of the year, Hoffman is traveling with the performers, living on the road.

When asked how he got involved, the Denver, Colo., native said, “One day you just kind of show up and run away to the circus.”

This was Piccadilly's first time in the Garrison City.

Dover Recreation Director Gary Bannon said in an email, “We are always look for opportunities to attract a variety of activities to the City of Dover and the Dover Arena provides a unique venue that can host large events such as this circus.”

While Thursday's stop was just a one-show affair, find out where the circus will be traveling throughout the year by visiting thefuncircus.com.